Sadly, Baby Faith Passed Away! Read the Update from The Save Baby Faith Group

Two weeks ago, We shared the story of Baby Faith on BellaNaija. At the BN Community Centre, BellaNaijarians came together to raise funds to save this precious child. Unfortunately, we received news that baby Faith passed away on Monday

Clare Henshaw, and the Save Baby Faith group have released a statement about the fund raising drive and the updates. 

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Dear Friends (of Baby Faith)
On behalf of Baby Faith, her mother and “The Save Baby Faith Group”, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your timely and generous response when we called on you to save our little Angel-Faith from retinoblastoma (a rare form of cancer)

Despite our efforts, it is with deep pain that we inform you that our little Angel-Baby Faith has passed on. She left this world at about 12.00 noon on November 14, 2016.
On this painful note, the fund raising campaign for Baby Faith has come to an end.

We believe that Baby Faith is in a better place and we rest assured that despite the challenges, pain and trauma suffered, Baby Faith was loved and she was never alone. We know this because of people like you who gave to save her life. For this act of human kindness, we say thank you.

You will recall that we had (Save Baby Faith Group) contacted a USA based (Mission) Surgeon- Dr, Brian Camazine and his team to support our work by operating on baby Faith on November 2, 2016; at the Nigerian Christian Hospital (NCH) in Aba. She was admitted in the hospital. After an extensive consultation with his team, it was agreed that Baby Faith should undergo a course of chemotherapy to stop the growth of the tumor. Following the course of chemotherapy for a few weeks, she would be re-evaluated again for surgery.

She was at NCH from November 2nd to 12th 2016 and was reacting fairly well to the chemo and the tumor was contained from swelling further. Baby Faith was discharged from hospital after a few weeks to spend some time at home, rather than remain in the hospital. She joined her siblings at home after two weeks, and we were very ‘ because she seemed to be playful and was improving. We were deeply pained to hear the news that she passed after throwing up for a while.

Fundraising: Our goal had been to raise the sum of N10,000,000 to cover the cost of surgery. Through your generosity, we were able to raise the sum of *€3,242 from the Gofundme Campaign, N204,860 was raised from the Fish4fund Campaign and N 701,000 paid directly into the mother’s-( Onoriode Friday) account. A gross total of N 2,688,960.00 was raised on Baby Faith’s behalf.
A comprehensive expense account will be put on her page (www.facebook.com/savebabyfaith) after she has been laid to rest.

The remaining funds will be channeled towards empowering Mrs. Onoriode Friday with a small business, as well as setting up a trust/scholarship fund for her remaining three children. It will be recalled that she was abandoned by her husband to cater to Baby Faith and her 3 siblings due to the sad situation of Faiths ailment.
The Save Baby Faith Group is fully vested in ensuring that the proceeds from the campaign funds are judiciously used to empower the real heroin of this painful journey- Onoriode Friday, who despite all odds, loved her daughter fiercely and never gave up on her. Our hearts are deeply saddened, but we give all glory to God for her life.
We must add that one of our members on the Save Baby Faith Group lost his father a few hours before Faith passed. Despite his own loss, he left his Father’s side to be with Ono, who has no one to hold her hand during this painful time.

We have attached a Strategy which was prepared months ago on the various courses of action to take while Baby Faith was still with us. Kindly find the time to read it.
We will always be grateful to you for being a part of Baby Faith’s short time on earth. We are all part of her journey.

From all us at the Group, We say God bless you immensely, and protect your from all harm.
Clare Henshaw
*€3,242 (converted at €1 to N550)

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Our deepest condolences  go to Baby Faith’s family.

Photo Credit: Oscar Williams | Dreamstime.com